Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The Indian tennis team arrived more in hope than expectation today to finalise their preparations for next week8217;s Davis Cup World Group qualifier with Australia.
8216;8216;We are very much the underdogs so they India8217;s players need to prepare themselves well,8217;8217; India8217;s non-playing captain Ramesh Krishnan told reporters.
8216;8216;Sometimes we have played matches as underdogs and it has worked in our favour, so you never know.8217;8217;
India8217;s slim hopes of an upset suffered a setback on Friday when top doubles player Mahesh Bhupathi withdrew because of a shoulder problem.
Krishnan tried to persuade Bhupathi to travel to Adelaide with the squad in case there was a late improvement in his shoulder but Bhupathi, ranked fourth in the world for doubles, stayed behind to save himself for the Asian Games in South Korea.
Bhupathi was replaced by Vishal Uppal in an Indian team that does not have a singles player ranked in the top 400 in the world.
The Australians boast world No.1 and Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt in their side.
8216;8216;Australia has always been tough, it is a good team and always a bit tougher when they play at home,8217;8217; Krishnan said.
8216;8216;Definitely we have our work cut out for us.8217;8217;
The winner of the September 20-22 tie will remain in the World Group next season while the loser is relegated.
